P a r t O n e : A d r u m b r a t i o n
C h a p t e r O n e: R e m e m b e r a n c e
"So," Ortega said, looking out at the pale moon. "Do you think we'll find something? The pack hasn't eaten in days."
Cornell shrugged, "Maybe. The humans aren't really in this area".
Cornell was a tall man-wolf his eyes were the color of the moon in daylight. Cornell and Ortega had been the best of friends since they were pups. They led the pack on raids, they were the masters of that. They were brothers, the same soul in two different bodies. Ortega scanned the trees, in hopes of finding at least a small child that had wandered away from their caravan. "We should start moving," Ortega stood and so did Cornell. "There might be a camp not far ahead,"
Cornell nodded, not paying attention. He was determined to keep the pack alive. That's why Ortega admired him so much. He didn't want to see all of them just die off for a petty cause. Ortega looked back at the camp. He saw his clan, his family looking very ravenous. They restrained their hunger by sleeping, well, most of them did. Others had gone out and searched for humans to feed on, but never returned.
Although that brought another thought to mind. Cornell had never liked killing humans much. Sure he found them and all, but it was the killing that took him the longest. Ortega never understood why. Cornell would sneak in on a camp and then find a suitable human to feast on, but he would just stand there watching it sleep. Ortega noticed that Cornell had become less talkative and more stern. But he cared for the clan, not for himself. He would risk his own life for them.
Both began to walk away from camp, just checking in with the forest to see if any of it would reveal any of its secrets. They had been given a small hunting party of six while the rest of the clan stayed back and watched over the elders and trained the others. They hadn't been able to eat much in quite sometime. Somehow, many of the humans knew that they had branched out into the forests and were tracking down humans; killing them for food. They had to search out farther and father from the forests to find just a small caravan with one or two humans. They used to be able to find them in tens or twenties. Now, only small and minuscule numbers.
"So, the two young ones are looking for food, eh?"
Both Cornell and Ortega turned to face a tall and slender man-wolf. If he were human he would look to be the age of thirty. His long black mane of hair fell to his shoulders and his dark onyx eyes were filled with cold and darkness, but it was expected of a man-wolf, and nothing more or less. He wore the color green, to blend in, disappear into the forest's deepest bowls. His skin was the darkest hue of ebony, as he was from far to the west and to the south.
Ortega half smiled "Amadi, I thought you were with the others," Amadi smiled, his brilliant white teeth shining between the dark lips. "No. I was actually sent for you. It seems that they need your help," Cornell looked a bit perplexed "You mean, Fionn, Naharadhi, and Selph? I thought they had ten times the strength of bringing two oaks together, and they cannot fare on their own?" Amadi shook his head "Yes, tis true. Come. They may have the strength to move mountains, but their senses are not as sharp as yours. Come," Amadi beckoned them to follow him. As they were stealthy creeping deeper into the forest, Cornell's head jerked up. He stopped and turned sniffing out the air.
"I'm picking up a sent," Cornell began to scan the area vigorously, past the trees, around great boulders. He sniffed the air again. Then Cornell stopped, looked in that direction for a little while, then gave out a great howl and sprinted towards to where his instinct told him where the humans were. Ortega was soon to follow, running with lightning speed. Amadi was soon to follow, and the others were quick to follow surging forward.
After some strenuous running, the pack made it to the camp. It was enclosed by many tall and noble trees curving down, making a small valley. There were four caravans circling a dying fire and three men, already in the thick grey eyes of sleep. Although one was awake, trembling when he had heard the howl. He held a rifle that was quivering in both of his arms, clutching it until his knuckles turned white. His ears were alert to every sound. Or so he thought...
All of the clan had been taught how to run over a pile of twigs and make no sound. They had been trained since they were very young to do this sort of thing. They always ended up getting the most satisfactory results. Cornell and Ortega crouched close to a barrier of trees where no prying human eyes could see. Ortega smiled, "This should be enough to satisfy the pack,"
Cornell lowered his eyes "I...I don't think..."
Before Cornell could say anything else, Selph was too eager and impatient. He stalked up as close to the edge of the trees as possible, then let out a menacing growl that snapped the silence. The human turned to attention and gripped his rifle so hard that a ruby sheen began to slowly pour over it. He breathed harder.
Amadi put his hand on Selph's shoulder "What's gotten into you? You must be patient," Selph's copper eyes glinted in the pale moonlight as he shook the moor's hand from his shoulder "Our clan had been starving for more than two weeks. Do you wish to fail them, Moor? You are not our kind, I don't know why the council elders decided to let you come with us," Fionn, another man- wolf, growled slightly and stood in front of Selph "Amadi is right, Selph. Wait, listen. Isn't that what we've been trained for countless years of our lives?" Selph's eyes went wide "So, now you've sided with the moor, eh? He is not our kind, Fionn. He cannot even-"
"Be still! All of you!" An old seasoned man-wolf emerged from the shadows. It was Naharadhi, the assumed leader and elder of the pack. His slivered hair slightly obscured his ivory pale skin, but his vibrant green eyes pierced through, even in the engulfing darkness. He had managed to train them when they were only but pups; showing the hard fist of strength.but the swiftness and agility that was necessary to become a true Man-Wolf warrior."We will wait. We must, Selph," Selph looked perplexed "B-but, Naharadhi-" The leader stopped Selphs mouth with his incinerating gaze. "You are not to question me. Is that clear, Selph?"
With that, Selph gave out a low menacing growl and lept from his perch, just to anger Naharahdi and faced the human. The human, despite his fear, jauntily aimed his rifle at Selph and fired. The man-wolf took a bullet and stumbled slightly, pausing for a fraction of a second, then falling to the ground. Ortega's heart jolted in fear. Was Selph really dead? The man stood up and prodded Selph with his rifle as the other began to awake. Satified, the man, still looking at the dead Man-Wolf, whilst trying to get the attention of the others. Selph then leapt up and clawed the man's throat open and blood began to darken the earth. The human's eyes clouded and the rifle fell to the ground. He sunk his teeth into the human's arm and ripped it. The other two woke up to find death had already claimed them. All of the man wolves poured from the woods in a tangled mass.
Screams erupted from the caravans. Ortega was already out and killing with the pack, feeding. He turned and was going to offer some human flesh to his friend. He had expected Cornell rushing in and feeding too, but all he saw was a terror stricken face staring back at the huge tableau. Ortega followed his gaze to a small girl running through the screaming humans and the uncontrollable man -wolves. She dodged everyone getting in her way. The girl stood at the verge of the forest looking back at the scene; tears filled her eyes.
And he knew, he knew that moment something would forever change in Cornell.
Ortega made his way over to Cornell, "Cornell, what are you looking at?" Even though he already knew he wanted to see it through Cornell's eyes. He didn't even look back at Ortega.
"I see a terrified girl watching her family being destroyed,"
"Is that all you see?"
Cornell turned back, the flames danced in his eyes, filled with sadness.
Ortega half smiled "Kill her,"
"What??"
"I said 'kill her' what's wrong with that?"
Ortega could almost see the lump forming in Cornell's throat. Cornell stared at his friend not quite knowing what to say, "Its...its inhumane,"
Ortega wanted to fall on the ground laughing, but he was smart enough to keep a straight face, "Cornell... we are inhumane. Can't you see it among our people," Ortega showed Cornell the awful image again...the pain, the suffering...
"I've seen you kill a newborn infant, rip its head off straight from its body while it was smiling at you. I've seen you kill innocent women and men and do the most horrible tortures ever imagined. Yet, you cannot kill this child?? Cornell, If you don't kill her, you'll become attached to her and then you'll betray us,"
Cornell's eyes flashed, "Did you really think that I knew about this place about a half hour ago?" Ortega's face clouded. Cornell shook his head, "Ortega, I knew about this place for five days,"
Shock filled Ortega's mind "What??"
"I think I have already betrayed you and the whole clan. I couldn't stand another feeding frenzy again and I thought about it..."
Ortega felt the blood boil in his throat, ".You thought about it.did you? So, most of those clan members didn't have to die all because of your fear of our way? Cornell, What is wrong with you? I think that little girl has changed you into one of those human admirers,"
Ortega was red hot with anger and Cornell's anger matched his. Ortega glowered "If you think that you can just walk away and leave us, go ahead, I'm not stopping you. But remember this. You abandoned us, Cornell, and if you think you can just waltz back into our lives and think we're all happy about it, you are wrong."
That comment set Cornell off. He growled in the back of his throat then lunged at Ortega. Ortega was expecting that and moved aside. Cornell hit the ground, then pushed him self up again, he was so determined to stand up for these humans. "I don't want to fight you, but just stop saying those things."
"Oh so I'm ruining your perfect view of those humans, huh, is that it?"
"No. You're letting the clan kill themselves,"
Ortega scoffed "Is that supposed to make me fill with rage? C'mon Cornell, you can do better than that," Ortega didn't see it coming at all but in a split-second, Cornell had already given a blow to Ortega's arm. It bled with the fiery wrath that a man-wolf was built on. Ortega turned and his eyes flashed.
The deafening screams were blocked out, the blood spilling was kept out of vision, only one thing remained intent for Ortega. He could hear a heart pulsing blood, Cornell's heart, he would have it, rip the damned thing out of Cornell's chest. He had betrayed everything that he had said to Ortega, all the promises broken that were made when they were children. All emotions were filling him, rage, sadness, envy, vengeance...Ortega felt a new fire blaze uncontrollably within.
C h a p t e r O n e: R e m e m b e r a n c e
"So," Ortega said, looking out at the pale moon. "Do you think we'll find something? The pack hasn't eaten in days."
Cornell shrugged, "Maybe. The humans aren't really in this area".
Cornell was a tall man-wolf his eyes were the color of the moon in daylight. Cornell and Ortega had been the best of friends since they were pups. They led the pack on raids, they were the masters of that. They were brothers, the same soul in two different bodies. Ortega scanned the trees, in hopes of finding at least a small child that had wandered away from their caravan. "We should start moving," Ortega stood and so did Cornell. "There might be a camp not far ahead,"
Cornell nodded, not paying attention. He was determined to keep the pack alive. That's why Ortega admired him so much. He didn't want to see all of them just die off for a petty cause. Ortega looked back at the camp. He saw his clan, his family looking very ravenous. They restrained their hunger by sleeping, well, most of them did. Others had gone out and searched for humans to feed on, but never returned.
Although that brought another thought to mind. Cornell had never liked killing humans much. Sure he found them and all, but it was the killing that took him the longest. Ortega never understood why. Cornell would sneak in on a camp and then find a suitable human to feast on, but he would just stand there watching it sleep. Ortega noticed that Cornell had become less talkative and more stern. But he cared for the clan, not for himself. He would risk his own life for them.
Both began to walk away from camp, just checking in with the forest to see if any of it would reveal any of its secrets. They had been given a small hunting party of six while the rest of the clan stayed back and watched over the elders and trained the others. They hadn't been able to eat much in quite sometime. Somehow, many of the humans knew that they had branched out into the forests and were tracking down humans; killing them for food. They had to search out farther and father from the forests to find just a small caravan with one or two humans. They used to be able to find them in tens or twenties. Now, only small and minuscule numbers.
"So, the two young ones are looking for food, eh?"
Both Cornell and Ortega turned to face a tall and slender man-wolf. If he were human he would look to be the age of thirty. His long black mane of hair fell to his shoulders and his dark onyx eyes were filled with cold and darkness, but it was expected of a man-wolf, and nothing more or less. He wore the color green, to blend in, disappear into the forest's deepest bowls. His skin was the darkest hue of ebony, as he was from far to the west and to the south.
Ortega half smiled "Amadi, I thought you were with the others," Amadi smiled, his brilliant white teeth shining between the dark lips. "No. I was actually sent for you. It seems that they need your help," Cornell looked a bit perplexed "You mean, Fionn, Naharadhi, and Selph? I thought they had ten times the strength of bringing two oaks together, and they cannot fare on their own?" Amadi shook his head "Yes, tis true. Come. They may have the strength to move mountains, but their senses are not as sharp as yours. Come," Amadi beckoned them to follow him. As they were stealthy creeping deeper into the forest, Cornell's head jerked up. He stopped and turned sniffing out the air.
"I'm picking up a sent," Cornell began to scan the area vigorously, past the trees, around great boulders. He sniffed the air again. Then Cornell stopped, looked in that direction for a little while, then gave out a great howl and sprinted towards to where his instinct told him where the humans were. Ortega was soon to follow, running with lightning speed. Amadi was soon to follow, and the others were quick to follow surging forward.
After some strenuous running, the pack made it to the camp. It was enclosed by many tall and noble trees curving down, making a small valley. There were four caravans circling a dying fire and three men, already in the thick grey eyes of sleep. Although one was awake, trembling when he had heard the howl. He held a rifle that was quivering in both of his arms, clutching it until his knuckles turned white. His ears were alert to every sound. Or so he thought...
All of the clan had been taught how to run over a pile of twigs and make no sound. They had been trained since they were very young to do this sort of thing. They always ended up getting the most satisfactory results. Cornell and Ortega crouched close to a barrier of trees where no prying human eyes could see. Ortega smiled, "This should be enough to satisfy the pack,"
Cornell lowered his eyes "I...I don't think..."
Before Cornell could say anything else, Selph was too eager and impatient. He stalked up as close to the edge of the trees as possible, then let out a menacing growl that snapped the silence. The human turned to attention and gripped his rifle so hard that a ruby sheen began to slowly pour over it. He breathed harder.
Amadi put his hand on Selph's shoulder "What's gotten into you? You must be patient," Selph's copper eyes glinted in the pale moonlight as he shook the moor's hand from his shoulder "Our clan had been starving for more than two weeks. Do you wish to fail them, Moor? You are not our kind, I don't know why the council elders decided to let you come with us," Fionn, another man- wolf, growled slightly and stood in front of Selph "Amadi is right, Selph. Wait, listen. Isn't that what we've been trained for countless years of our lives?" Selph's eyes went wide "So, now you've sided with the moor, eh? He is not our kind, Fionn. He cannot even-"
"Be still! All of you!" An old seasoned man-wolf emerged from the shadows. It was Naharadhi, the assumed leader and elder of the pack. His slivered hair slightly obscured his ivory pale skin, but his vibrant green eyes pierced through, even in the engulfing darkness. He had managed to train them when they were only but pups; showing the hard fist of strength.but the swiftness and agility that was necessary to become a true Man-Wolf warrior."We will wait. We must, Selph," Selph looked perplexed "B-but, Naharadhi-" The leader stopped Selphs mouth with his incinerating gaze. "You are not to question me. Is that clear, Selph?"
With that, Selph gave out a low menacing growl and lept from his perch, just to anger Naharahdi and faced the human. The human, despite his fear, jauntily aimed his rifle at Selph and fired. The man-wolf took a bullet and stumbled slightly, pausing for a fraction of a second, then falling to the ground. Ortega's heart jolted in fear. Was Selph really dead? The man stood up and prodded Selph with his rifle as the other began to awake. Satified, the man, still looking at the dead Man-Wolf, whilst trying to get the attention of the others. Selph then leapt up and clawed the man's throat open and blood began to darken the earth. The human's eyes clouded and the rifle fell to the ground. He sunk his teeth into the human's arm and ripped it. The other two woke up to find death had already claimed them. All of the man wolves poured from the woods in a tangled mass.
Screams erupted from the caravans. Ortega was already out and killing with the pack, feeding. He turned and was going to offer some human flesh to his friend. He had expected Cornell rushing in and feeding too, but all he saw was a terror stricken face staring back at the huge tableau. Ortega followed his gaze to a small girl running through the screaming humans and the uncontrollable man -wolves. She dodged everyone getting in her way. The girl stood at the verge of the forest looking back at the scene; tears filled her eyes.
And he knew, he knew that moment something would forever change in Cornell.
Ortega made his way over to Cornell, "Cornell, what are you looking at?" Even though he already knew he wanted to see it through Cornell's eyes. He didn't even look back at Ortega.
"I see a terrified girl watching her family being destroyed,"
"Is that all you see?"
Cornell turned back, the flames danced in his eyes, filled with sadness.
Ortega half smiled "Kill her,"
"What??"
"I said 'kill her' what's wrong with that?"
Ortega could almost see the lump forming in Cornell's throat. Cornell stared at his friend not quite knowing what to say, "Its...its inhumane,"
Ortega wanted to fall on the ground laughing, but he was smart enough to keep a straight face, "Cornell... we are inhumane. Can't you see it among our people," Ortega showed Cornell the awful image again...the pain, the suffering...
"I've seen you kill a newborn infant, rip its head off straight from its body while it was smiling at you. I've seen you kill innocent women and men and do the most horrible tortures ever imagined. Yet, you cannot kill this child?? Cornell, If you don't kill her, you'll become attached to her and then you'll betray us,"
Cornell's eyes flashed, "Did you really think that I knew about this place about a half hour ago?" Ortega's face clouded. Cornell shook his head, "Ortega, I knew about this place for five days,"
Shock filled Ortega's mind "What??"
"I think I have already betrayed you and the whole clan. I couldn't stand another feeding frenzy again and I thought about it..."
Ortega felt the blood boil in his throat, ".You thought about it.did you? So, most of those clan members didn't have to die all because of your fear of our way? Cornell, What is wrong with you? I think that little girl has changed you into one of those human admirers,"
Ortega was red hot with anger and Cornell's anger matched his. Ortega glowered "If you think that you can just walk away and leave us, go ahead, I'm not stopping you. But remember this. You abandoned us, Cornell, and if you think you can just waltz back into our lives and think we're all happy about it, you are wrong."
That comment set Cornell off. He growled in the back of his throat then lunged at Ortega. Ortega was expecting that and moved aside. Cornell hit the ground, then pushed him self up again, he was so determined to stand up for these humans. "I don't want to fight you, but just stop saying those things."
"Oh so I'm ruining your perfect view of those humans, huh, is that it?"
"No. You're letting the clan kill themselves,"
Ortega scoffed "Is that supposed to make me fill with rage? C'mon Cornell, you can do better than that," Ortega didn't see it coming at all but in a split-second, Cornell had already given a blow to Ortega's arm. It bled with the fiery wrath that a man-wolf was built on. Ortega turned and his eyes flashed.
The deafening screams were blocked out, the blood spilling was kept out of vision, only one thing remained intent for Ortega. He could hear a heart pulsing blood, Cornell's heart, he would have it, rip the damned thing out of Cornell's chest. He had betrayed everything that he had said to Ortega, all the promises broken that were made when they were children. All emotions were filling him, rage, sadness, envy, vengeance...Ortega felt a new fire blaze uncontrollably within.
